Look for ‘The Ol’ Ball Coach’ to pound UNC again

As we did last season, we’ll be making picks on all top 25 games, all Big 12 games and all games involving Texas FBS teams this season.

A drum roll please from Thursday’s opening games, involving two top 25 teams with an early dose of Steve Spurrier in the first game tonight.

Dig in.

No. 6 South Carolina (minus-11) 38, North Carolina 17: “The Ol’ Ball Coach’s” dislike for the Tar Heels dates to his days at Duke when Mack Brown was coaching at UNC. With Jadeveon Clowney chasing after Bryn Renner in Larry Fedora’s up-tempo offense, look for a lot of cramping in sweltering Williams-Brice Stadium.

No. 25 USC (minus-23 1/2) 45, Hawaii 7: Nobody’s seat is hotter than Lane Kiffin. Look for whoever is throwing passes for the Trojans to hook up with Marqise Lee. A lot.